As Maine Democrats Search for a New Nominee, Contenders’ Election Integrity Record Is Drawing Attention

Maine Democrats are gearing up to choose their replacement for accused rapist Graham Platner, who withdrew from the race following multiple sexual-assault allegations.

Four candidates will take the debate stage Thursday night, including Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who will bring her long record of opposing election integrity with her. 

“I’m so excited to launch my campaign for US Senate because flipping the Senate in November is crucial. I’m running to pass Medicare for all, fight for workers’ rights, and protect our neighbors,” Bellows wrote on X. 

The SAVE America Act is at the forefront of politics in Washington. However, election integrity and security are also at the forefront for most Americans. According to a March YouGov poll, 80% of American voters favor requiring photo ID to vote, and 66% favor requiring proof of citizenship as well. 

“In some isolated incidents, some noncitizens may be on the rolls,” Bellows said in 2025, admitting that at least “some” ineligible voters were registered to vote in her state.

While Maine requires photo ID to register to vote, there is no proof-of-citizenship requirement or photo ID required at the polls. In 2023, Bellows testified against a bill that would require voters to produce photo identification to cast ballots, calling it unnecessary and detrimental to voter participation. 

“Forcing people to carry a specific type of photo identification to vote would result in logistical challenges, financial burdens, and potential discrimination,” Bellows said.

Ahead of the 2024 election, she attempted to bar President Donald Trump from appearing on Maine’s 2024 ballot. However, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejected efforts by states to disqualify presidential candidates. 

“More than 80% of Americans support voter ID, yet Shenna Bellows has repeatedly sided with partisan politics over Maine voters—opposing commonsense election safeguards and even trying to remove President Trump from the ballot,” Ally Triolo, election integrity communications director for the Republican National Committee, told the Daily Signal. 

“Her record is clear: politics comes first, not the will of Mainers,” she continued. 

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, a friend and former supporter of Platner, agrees with Bellows. In a recent interview with Maine Public Radio, he said it should not be necessary to provide photo ID to vote.

Bellows and Jackson will join Nirav Shah, and Jordan Wood on stage in Maine for a 90-minute debate Thursday night. This will be their first public faceoff ahead of the July 25 nomination to replace Platner as the U.S. Senate nominee. 

Bellows and Jackson did not immediately respond to the Daily Signals request for comment.